Fraud and error – managing the income risk

The level of fraud and error in benefit expenditure, excluding the State Pension, in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has led to the Department’s accounts being qualified for more than 30 years, yet fraud and error rates are at their highest ever.

The DWP has put in place an updated counter-fraud and error strategy, based in part of the NAO’s Fraud and Error Framework. This study is part of our long-term fraud and error work, and compliments our work on the 2018-19 DWP annual report and accounts, which published 27 June 2019. It will give us a more in-depth understanding of how DWP are applying our Fraud and Error Framework to manage ‘income risk’ – the risk that the award or value of the benefit is based on an incorrect assessment of a claimant’s income. We will achieve this by undertaking case studies on Carer’s Allowance, Pension Credit and Universal Credit.

If you would like to provide evidence for our study please
email the study team on enquiries@nao.org.uk, putting the
study title in the subject line. The team will consider the evidence you
provide; however, please note that due to the volume of information we receive
we may not respond to you directly. If you need to raise a concern please use
our contact form.

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